Council Grove Wildlife Area
The reservoir has a combination of steep rocky shoreline and shallow mudflats. Two good fishing streams, Munkers Creek on the east and the Neosho River on the west, feed the lake. Two boat ramps and handicap accessible sidewalks provide access to these streams. Fair to excellent populations of crappie, channel catfish, saugeye, white bass, wiper, and largemouth bass are found in the lake. Wildlife area lands primarily consist of woodlands, cropland, and small native grass tracts. Hunting is allowed and hunters may find fair to excellent populations of white-tailed deer, wild turkey, quail, squirrel, rabbit, dove, and waterfowl. Frequent flooding events however, may limit upland wildlife populations in some years.
Manager: Brent Konen
Phone: 620-767-5900
Council Grove Reservoir is located in east-central Morris County, on the Neosho River, 1.5 miles northwest of Council Grove.
Area News
Want Current Lake Condition Information? It’s Just a Click Away!
It can be argued that technology is not always a good thing. But for outdoor recreationists wanting to know current information about Council Grove Lake, technology can be good because the information is available and can be accessed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by visiting the internet on your computer or smart phone.
For those interested in learning more about current or historic lake levels, precipitation amounts, lake inflow, or lake releases, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates a convenient web site providing this information. Whether you are an angler interested in lake conditions to determine if it might be right for pursuing your favorite species of fish or are a boater or camper wondering how lake conditions have been impacted by recent drought or rains, the website can be a valuable trip planning tool. To access this information simply visit:
- Special length and creel limits may apply for some fish species at Council Grove Reservoir. Please consult the Council Grove Fishing Information Page.
- Vehicles are restricted to established maintained roads.
- Off-road vehicle use is prohibited.
- Camping is not allowed on the wildlife area. Excellent camping facilities can be found at area Corps of Engineer parks. Contact (620) 767-5195 for more information.
Here is a complete list of Public Land Regulations or you can download the regulation summary.
The 3,310 acre reservoir was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1964. In 1965, a license agreement was granted from the Corps of Engineers to establish the wildlife area. The wildlife area consists of 2,638 acres of land and water at the upper ends of the reservoir, and is primarily managed to provide public hunting and fishing opportunities.
- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: N38 43 08.0 W096 33 32.6
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- Type of Facility: Parking Lot
- Location of Facility: N38 42 58.9 W096 34 04.1
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- Type of Facility: Parking Lot
- Location of Facility: N38 43 55.5 W096 34 15.4
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- Type of Facility: Parking Lot
- Location of Facility: N38 43 02.1 W096 32 52.0
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- Type of Facility: Parking Lot
- Location of Facility: N38 43 25.7 W096 33 20.0
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- Type of Facility: Parking Lot
- Location of Facility: N38 43 54.2 W096 32 55.1
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- Type of Facility: Parking Lot
- Location of Facility: N38 43 41.6 W096 30 37.8
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- Type of Facility: Parking Lot
- Location of Facility: N38 44 46.3 W096 29 30.9
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- Type of Facility: Boat Ramp
- This facility is ADA accessible
- Location of Facility: N38 43 54.9 W096 29 47.1
- Click for more information
- Type of Facility: Parking Lot
- Location of Facility: N38 44 27.5 W096 29 15.6
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- Type of Facility: Information Center
- Location of Facility: N38 44 21.0 W096 30 03.0
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- Type of Facility: Parking Lot
- Location of Facility: N38 44 25.6 W096 29 11.9
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- Type of Facility: Office
- Location of Facility: N38 41 57.6 W096 32 22.8
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| Waterfowl numbers | Seeing arrival of some early migrants. Mixed species. Waterfowl numbers have not yet become significant. |
| Water levels | 1.9 feet below conservation elevation (1,274') on 10/24/24. |
| Hunting conditions | The lake remained relatively full through August. Hot and dry conditions have persisted since. Moist soil plants are largely absent along lake fringes. As such, few food resources will be available for waterfowl this fall. |
| Expected hunting success | Poor. |
| Comments | Low Plains Late Zone Duck, Coot, Merganser Season is Oct. 26-Dec. 29, 2024, AND Jan. 18-26, 2025. |
Scenic Council Grove Lake has a rocky shoreline and an abundance of picnic, camping, boating, and hiking areas. During spring and fall, the reservoir attracts flocks of migrating ducks, geese, cormorants, and gulls. In winter bald eagles are frequently seen perched in the trees surrounding the lake. The Canada geese are quite tame and often allow vehicles to approach. The Canning Creek Cove area has a trail of eastern bluebird nest boxes along the entrance drive. Watch for the bluebirds in the spring. The shady picnic and campground areas have nesting robins, kingbirds, and orioles. Bat houses have been erected here and at several other places around the lake.
To look for wildlife in a different habitat visit the Council Grove Wildlife Area along Munkers Creek along the northeast arm of the lake just off K-177 highway (red dot on map). Watch for deer and squirrels. The narrow, wooded lane also provides visitors the opportunity to view winter sparrows, towhees, cardinals, and woodpeckers from the comfort of a car. During spring migration the woods along this creek may be alive with warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and other songbirds. NOTE: This is a dead-end road. The low-water crossing at the east end can only be reached by foot.